Speak No Evil Read Online Free PDF Page A

Amar, his friend and co-worker, were there looking down at him, concern and terror in their faces. He had closed his eyes again and the next thing he knew he had woken up in hospital.
    Milsom had torched his house, leaving Donovan inside. Nothing was left. If Amar and Jamal hadn’t turned up with booze, DVDs and takeaway food, Donovan would be dead.
    So he was alive. But every memento of David was gone.
    Donovan threw himself into his work. He hadn’t involved the police because if he did they wouldn’t let him near Milsom. He had learned that previously when he tried to approach him in Hertfordshire. So it was down to Albion. But despite their best efforts, Milsom had disappeared without trace. And that just added to the pain and confusion Donovan carried around with him.
    And then, nearly a month later, a breakthrough. Milsom was spotted in Brighton. An old friend of Peta’s from the police force had tipped her off. Pure luck, she stressed. The meeting that followed the discovery was predictably intense.
    â€˜So what are the police doing about it?’ said Donovan.
    She sighed. ‘Nothing.’
    Donovan bristled. ‘Why not?’
    â€˜It’s out of their hands, he said. Apparently the spooks have told them to lay off. They want him for something bigger.’
    â€˜Fuck them,’ said Donovan, getting to his feet. ‘I want him now.’
    Peta stopped him. ‘Whoa there, hold your horses. We agree. And I’m on it Amar’s ready and we’re off in the morning.’
    â€˜Good.’
    â€˜But not you, Joe. I think you should stay here.’
    He felt anger build up inside him. ‘Why?’
    â€˜Look at you,’ said Peta. ‘You’re wound up. You’re not thinking straight.’
    He started to argue, she held up a hand.
    â€˜I know that’s to be expected, I’m not saying anything other than that. But think about it. You’re too emotionally involved. And OK, fine, but you can’t go to work in that frame of mind. And Milsom, if he is there, will be expecting you. And also, it might be a trap.’
    Donovan looked at her. As always, her voice carried more authority and strength than her slim frame indicated.
    â€˜Let Amar and me handle it.’
    The tall, well-dressed Asian man sitting on a sofa opposite Donovan nodded.
    â€˜An’ me,’ said a voice from the corner of the room. Jamal had been sitting there, trying to get his new iMac to work. Or at least play GTA on it. ‘I want in on this too.’
    Donovan looked between the three of them. Pain was tearing apart his insides. But he knew they were with him, that they wanted the best for him. He couldn’t want a better trio of friends.
    Peta touched his arm. ‘Sit this one out, Joe. Control it from here. You’ve got a job on at the moment, remember?’
    Donovan nodded. He remembered.
    â€˜You keep bringing the money in,’ said Amar. ‘These new offices don’t pay for themselves.’
    Peta looked him straight in the eye. ‘Don’t worry. If he’s there, we’ll find him.’
    More than friends, he thought.
    Family.
    So he sat staring again at the blue door, willing it to open, praying for something to happen. Even something bad because any action was better than none at all. But nothing happened. And the next move, no matter how much it hurt Donovan to realize the fact, was down to Milsom.
    The doorbell sounded. He got up from the desk, reluctantly tearing himself away, and went to answer the door. He knew who it would be. Anne Marie Smeaton.
    â€˜Come in,’ he said, stepping aside.
    She entered. As she walked past him, he could tell something was troubling her. Even more than usual. Then he spotted the bandages.
    â€˜What have you done to your hands?’
    Anne Marie flinched, instinctively pulling her hands in front of her so he couldn’t see. As if she could make them disappear. ‘Nothing,’ she said,